CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
As the Prime Minster slashes the Federal fuel excise and two state governments move to make all public transport free, the political response to the global fuel crisis is beginning to take form nearly a month after the War in Iran began.
Yesterday, the PM met with State and Territory leaders to discuss the immediate roll-out of cost-of-living measures to help Australian families at risk of being crushed financially by a surge in fuel prices.
Victoria has said it will have free travel all throughout April, while Tasmania has said commuters will not need to pay for public transport until June.
Other state governments have so far declined to follow suit, with the New South Wales Government simply laughing at the idea that public transport would be free, with the Premier reiterating that if people can't afford to live in the most expensive state, then they should move to one of the povo ones.
It is unknown what Western Australian plans to do about public transport, and if such a thing exists in that part of the world.
Queensland, however, has drawn a very clear line in the sand. Premier David Crisafulli has made a point that public transport is already comically cheap in his state - thanks to him being wedged by the Labor Party's '50 cent fares' policy leading into the 2024 election.
At a press conference earlier today, Crisafulli said the state's ferries, buses and trains were already running at a major loss due to this bizarre brand of red-blooded Queensland socialism.
"I can say right here, hand on heart, that there will be snow falling on the streets of Cairns before I ever make public transport free in this state"
"Do you people know how much it costs to run a CityCat? Do you have any idea how little your 50 cent fares do towards covering the wages of deckhands, skippers, fuel and wharf maintenance?"
"Don't get me started on the fucking trains and buses. Or the cross-city rail? We are being absolutely reamed by the CFMEU on that project and you people support them wholeheartedly. The carriages aren't even running yet, and now you're asking for them to be free"
"To my fellow Queenslanders, I say this with the utmost respect. But don't be tight arses. We aren't going to further lower these fares and give you free rides to work"
"You're only paying 50 cents fuck ya"
